If words have powers, stories are the tides that change history. A storyteller uses such powers, augmented by magic, to create legends of their own. They can summon forth characters from books to do their bidding, inspire allies with their tales, and even wield books as weapons.

Weapon Proficiencies: A storyteller loses proficiency with longswords, saps, shortswords, and whips. He gains proficiency with illuminated manuscripts, mage mashers, and songbooks, as described by the battle tomes section below.

Strength Foretold (Su): At 1st level as a standard action, the storyteller can grant a single ally within 30 feet a +2 morale bonus to one of the following: attack rolls, damage rolls, AC. This bonus lasts until the storyteller’s next turn. As a free action upon using this ability, the storyteller may describe an event relating to his chosen bonus (the fighter hitting the goblin, the cleric destroying the zombie, etc). If the event occurs, the bonus lasts an additional round. The storyteller may do this a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier.

This replaces the well versed class feature.

Legend of Old (Su): At 3rd level, the storyteller can summon a legendary figure from the tales of old. The storyteller selects a particular figure that remains constant throughout his adventures. The legendary hero takes the form of a character of any class, whose level is equal to the storytellers level +2. The storyteller can only call upon the power of the legendary figure for so long. At 3rd level, he can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 8 + his Charisma modifier. At each level after 3rd a storyteller can use legend of old for 2 additional rounds per day.

Summoning the legend of old is a standard action, but it can be maintained each round as a free action (as a storyteller must dramatically describe or otherwise narrate actions taken by his legendary figure after he has done them). The legend of old cannot be dispelled, but it ends immediately if the storyteller is killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round. The legend of old is easily distinguishable as a fantastic being, appearing semi-translucent with striking and sometimes exaggerated features.

The legend of old always possesses average hit points per hit die, and his health and daily abilities remains constant between summonings. He regains hit points and uses of his abilities when the storyteller rests for 8 hours. When summoned, the legend appears with gear whose value cannot exceed the value shown for a character of his level on Table: 12-4 Character Wealth by Level in Chapter 12 of the Pathfinder Core Rulebook. These items have a fantastic look to them, and are melded with the legend of old; no other creature can wield or use equipment the legend of old brought with them.

At 7th level, a storyteller can summon his legend of old as a move action instead of a standard action. At 13th level, a storyteller can summon his legend of old as a swift action. This ability replaces the bardic performance class feature. Legend of old is treated as bardic performance for the purposes of feats, abilities, effects, and the like that affect bardic performance.

Note: Who is this, and why do I care?
The storyteller is encouraged to explain the heroic/legendary nature of his legend of old. Certain classes work better than others, but regardless of the choice the legend should be one that could be reasonably expected to assist the players. The antipaladin Darkin isn’t likely to help people assault the underworld. A storyteller often has a complex relationship with this legend- perhaps there is some quality in the hero they seek to emulate or an aspect of them they see in themselves.

Battle Tomes

A battle tome is thick book bound in a metal frame. The pages of the book are protected in such a way that the wear and tear of bashing creatures skulls in with the book will not damage them. A battle tome has a mundane locking mechanism that keeps the book shut while the beatings occur. Often times there are small brass knobs on each corner or thick metal edges on the book to enhance the damage they deal.

Table: Battle Tomes

Name

Cost

Dmg (S)

Dmg (M)

Critical

Weight

Type

Pages

Category

Illuminated Manuscript

150 gp

1d8

1d10

19-20/x2

7 lbs.

B

300

Two-Handed Exotic

Mage Masher

50 gp

1d6

1d8

19-20/x2

5 lbs.

B

100

One-Handed Exotic

Songbook

10 gp

1d4

1d6

19-20/x2

2 lbs.

B

20

Light Exotic

Illuminated Manuscript

These books are the size of a man from shoulder to shoulder and are ornately decorated with pictorial depictions of saints, historical figures, and mythological beasts. When wielded they are so large that they require 2 hands.

Mage Masher

A mage masher is a traditional mage’s spellbook fitted with a battle tome’s casing.

Songbook

A songbook is a battle tome the size of a man’s hand laid flat and is light enough to
be held in one hand easily.